The American team Haas, playing in the famous Formula 1 racing series, announced the termination of the contract with Russian Nikita Mazepin. It was also decided to terminate cooperation with the title sponsor of Haas – the Russian company Uralkali, owned by the pilot’s father Dmitry Mazepin. The reason for the rupture of relations was the events in Ukraine.
After almost all international sports organizations suspended Russians from participating in their competitions, it came to Formula 1. Despite the fact that the day before the press service of Haas denied media reports about the termination of the contract with Nikita Mazepin, on Saturday the American team did it anyway. In addition, she abandoned her main sponsor, the Russian company Uralkali. In a short statement, Haas said that the team, like the entire Formula 1 community, is “shocked by the events in Ukraine”, where, we recall, a Russian military special operation is currently taking place, and “hopes for a speedy resolution of the conflict.”
Haas broke up with Nikita Mazepin despite the official decision of the International Motorsport Federation (FIA) to allow Russian drivers to compete, albeit in a neutral status.
The Federation issued a circular, according to which sanctions could follow from its side for refusing to allow Russians, as well as Belarusians, to start. The fact is that the British and German motorsport federations have already banned Russians from racing in their countries.
Meanwhile, curious details of another FIA circular with the conditions for the participation of Russian pilots in competitions under its auspices have become known. To do this, each of them must sign a ten-point document. For example, paragraph #2 is worded as follows: “I share the FIA’s solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the Ukrainian federation and all who suffer as a result of the ongoing conflict.” The seventh paragraph says: “I will not express support (direct or indirect) for Russian or Belarusian actions against Ukraine.”
Several sections are devoted to the complete rejection of any demonstration of one’s nationality, where there is, perhaps, a ban on speaking Russian in public places. And the FIA has reserved the right to remove Russian racers from the starts at any time. Ninth paragraph: “I acknowledge that the FIA may make further decisions regarding my participation in the competition, including the right to refuse me entry. I will implement all such decisions.”
As it turned out, Nikita Mazepin agreed to these conditions, however, the contract with him was terminated. He expressed his great disappointment on his social media. “I understand and realize all the difficulties, but I have to admit that the decision of the FIA, as well as my full readiness to accept the proposed conditions in order to continue cooperation, were completely ignored, and no reciprocal steps followed,” said Nikita Mazepin.
The 23-year-old Russian racer spent one season in Formula 1. In the overall standings of the last World Championship, Mazepin took the last, 21st place and did not score a single point, and his best result was 14th place at the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, it must be said that the Russian played for the worst Formula 1 team, which also finished the season in the last, tenth, position, never hitting the points zone.
Read more about sports sanctions against Russia in the material “Kommersant” “Olympic Safety Committee”.